Origin
Columbia, MO
Afternoon in Columbia on Thursday
Local time
12:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia, MO to Vandalia, MO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
68.1 mi
110 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbia, MO to Vandalia, MO covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 54, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, East Liberty Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.2 miles on US 54. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 68.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The drive from Columbia, MO to Vandalia, MO covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 27m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 54 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Columbia, MO to Vandalia, MO is easy. At 1h 27m with 52% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.7 miles (US 54 / East Liberty Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
6
22.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 148
Toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
4
40.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 54 / East Liberty Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 54 / East Liberty Street
Navigation decision point
5
51 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
US 54; MO 19
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
US 54
Enter roundabout onto US 54
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Columbia, MO and Vandalia, MO, road signs point toward Mexico and Fulton.
Mexico
22.4 mi in
|
~29m
Fulton
22.4 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 54 | 35.2 mi | 44m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 18.6 mi | 23m |
| East Liberty Street | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Providence Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 54
— 35.2 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia, MO and Vandalia, MO.
1
Start on MO 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Providence Road
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 70 East, US 40 East: Saint Louis
3
Merge onto I 70; US 40
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Highway Patrol Sgt. Benjamin Booth Memorial Highway
4
Continue on I 70; US 40
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheriff Roger I. Wilson Memorial Highway
5
Continue on I 70; US 40
19 mi
·
23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 148
Toward US 54: Auxvasse, Mexico, Fulton
7
Turn left onto US 54
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 54
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 54
10 mi
·
13 min
·
East Liberty Street
9
Enter roundabout onto US 54; MO 19
221 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 54; MO 19
10
Continue on US 54; MO 19
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
US 54; MO 19
11
Enter roundabout onto US 54
48 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 54
12
Continue on US 54
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
US 54
13
Turn left onto MO F
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
MO F
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.1 mi from Columbia, MO · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Columbia, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Vandalia, MO
The final approach into Vandalia, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.65 one way
$21.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.69 | $23.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.11 | $26.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.04 | $30.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.15 | $3.27 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.96 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.53 | $4.36 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Vandalia, MO
Afternoon in Vandalia on Thursday
Local time
12:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Columbia, MO to Vandalia, MO covers 68.1 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 54, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, East Liberty Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.1 miles from Columbia, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Columbia, MO to Vandalia, MO is easy. At 1h 27m with 52% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.7 miles (US 54 / East Liberty Street): Navigation decision point.
Between Columbia, MO and Vandalia, MO, road signs point toward Mexico and Fulton.
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